Virginia ‘Ginie’ M. Rafter

Virginia “Ginie” M. Rafter, 89, of Mason, NH, died March 12, 2012, at the Crestwood Nursing home in Milford, NH.

Virginia was born in Boston, Massachusetts on July 18, 1922, the daughter of Harold C. Miller and Lena Mabel (Barnes). Ginie lived in Mason for most of her life. Following graduation from Townsend High School, she went to The University of New Hampshire and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work in 1943. She began her professional career working for the State of New Hampshire as a social worker. In 1946 she returned to Mason and became a much loved school teacher. She taught in the Mason school until her retirement in 1978. Ginie married Arthur Rafter in 1951.

Ginie loved flowers and formed a group that tracked wildflowers in the region. In her quiet time she would read and create beautiful braided rugs. Ginie also loved genealogy and was very proud of her roots that connected her to the Mayflower. She and Arthur enjoyed traveling and researching their ancestries She has been a lifelong member of the Mason Congregational Church.

Ginie is survived by her husband of 61 years, Arthur Rafter; 2 sons, Harold W. Rafter and his wife Susan of Nottingham, NH and Kenneth M. Rafter and his wife Rennie of Sag Harbor, NY; one daughter, Jane R. Goodhart and her husband Gary of Pleasant Valley, NY; and one sister, Carma Holt of Lyndeborough, NH. Virginia was blessed with 5 grandchildren; Andy, Jillian, and Sam Rafter; and Kyle and Kaley Goodhart. She was predeceased by one sister, Lucille M. Bootes and a grandchild Roxanne Rafter.

Friends and family are invited to calling hours Thursday, March 15, 2012 in the Michaud Funeral Home, 32 Maple Street, Wilton, NH, from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM.

A celebration of Ginie’s life will be held on Friday, March 16, 2012, at 11:00 AM in the Mason Congregational Church, Mason, NH. Following the service, burial will be in the Prospect Hill Cemetery in Mason, NH. The arrangements are in the care of the Michaud Funeral Home, 32 Maple St., Wilton, NH. To view an online obituary or leave a condolence, please visit our web site www.michaudfuneralhome.com.